摘要
BACKGROUND Fractures of the axis are commonly seen in spinal injuries. Upper cervical fractures are usually managed conservatively. However, the complications due to long-term external immobilization cannot be ignored. The traditional open surgery has the disadvantages of too much blood loss and soft tissue injury. The aim of our paper is to introduce a minimally invasive surgical treatment for multiple axis fractures.CASE SUMMARY We report a 40-year-old Chinese male who had severe neck pain and difficult neck movement after falling from 3 meters. X-ray and computed tomography(CT) scan revealed an axis injury consisting of an odontoid Type Ⅲ fracture associated with a Hangman fracture categorized as a Levine-Edwards Type Ⅰ fracture. The patient underwent anterior odontoid screw fixation and posterior percutaneous screw fixation using intraoperative O-arm navigation. Neck pain was markedly improved after surgery. X-rays and CT scan reconstructions of 3-mo follow-up showed good stability and fusion. The range of cervical motion was well preserved.CONCLUSION Anterior odontoid screw fixation and posterior direct C2 percutaneous pedicle screw fixation with the aid of O-arm navigation and neurophysiological monitoring can be an interesting alternative option for complicated multiple axis fractures.
BACKGROUND Fractures of the axis are commonly seen in spinal injuries. Upper cervical fractures are usually managed conservatively. However, the complications due to long-term external immobilization cannot be ignored. The traditional open surgery has the disadvantages of too much blood loss and soft tissue injury. The aim of our paper is to introduce a minimally invasive surgical treatment for multiple axis fractures.CASE SUMMARY We report a 40-year-old Chinese male who had severe neck pain and difficult neck movement after falling from 3 meters. X-ray and computed tomography(CT) scan revealed an axis injury consisting of an odontoid Type Ⅲ fracture associated with a Hangman fracture categorized as a Levine-Edwards Type Ⅰ fracture. The patient underwent anterior odontoid screw fixation and posterior percutaneous screw fixation using intraoperative O-arm navigation. Neck pain was markedly improved after surgery. X-rays and CT scan reconstructions of 3-mo follow-up showed good stability and fusion. The range of cervical motion was well preserved.CONCLUSION Anterior odontoid screw fixation and posterior direct C2 percutaneous pedicle screw fixation with the aid of O-arm navigation and neurophysiological monitoring can be an interesting alternative option for complicated multiple axis fractures.
